Communication Science and Disorders, M.A.

Saint Louis University's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in speech-language pathology. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). It is a two-year, six-semester program which starts in the summer semester. The program is designed to prepare professionals to provide evidence-based high-quality services to persons with communication and swallowing disorders. A focus of the program is to develop clinicians who are prepared to serve culturally and linguistically diverse populations across the life span.

SLU's Master of Arts in communication sciences and disorders is a two-year graduate program with a typical class size of 30 to 40 students. Over the past three years, the program’s graduation rate is 97 percent, while the Praxis pass rate and the employment rate of the graduating class is 100 percent. All graduate students must complete 46 credits, including a required clinical practicum each term. The program is six semesters, including two summers. Students begin the program in the summer.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's program is six semesters, including two summers. Students begin in the summer.

All graduate students must complete 46 credits, including a required clinical practicum each term. Research students will also complete a thesis for six credits.

Students must enroll in five terms (semester or summer) of zero-credit clinical practicum during their study. Additionally, six credits of off-campus clinical practice are completed during the last semester of study, typically involving three credits of student teaching and three credits of clinical internship.

Other required courses include:

• Experimental Design
• Phonological Development and Disorders
• Assessment/Management of Social Communication Disorders
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• Language
• Fluency Disorders
• Dysphagia
• Voice Disorders
• Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomalie
• Neurogenic Communication Disorders in Adults
• Motor Speech Disorders
• Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology
• Cognitive Communication Disorders

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

A major strength of SLU's M.A. in communication sciences and disorders is the wide variety of clinical practicum experiences available to graduate students. The department has strong working relationships with hospitals, schools, rehabilitation facilities and community clinics in St. Louis.

Clinical Practicum Sites

Students will experience at least three separate off-campus clinical placements, often obtaining 50 clinical hours or more at each site. Additionally, students gain experience in SLU's Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic. During their last semester, students are ready for a full-time internship, consisting of placements in both medical and educational settings. Students typically obtain considerably more than the minimum clock hours required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and are well-prepared to begin their professional careers.

Careers

Graduates have gone on to careers at public and private schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, clinics, private practices and universities. Speech-language pathology is rated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as one of the fastest growing professions in the country — it’s predicted to grow 21 percent by 2024. The median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist in 2014 was $75,000.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in communication science and disorders or have successfully completed the prerequisite courses in the field.

Individuals with a bachelor's degree in a different discipline are not eligible for admission into the graduate program until completion of the undergraduate prerequisite courses. Students may be eligible for admission into the communication sciences and disorders leveling program.

Students must meet clinical practicum eligibility requirements for participation in the required clinical practicum.

Application Requirements

• Application form and fee
• GRE – General scores
• Three letters of recommendation
• Résumé
• Professional goal statement
• Video response to two interview questions
• Visit (encouraged)

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Assistantship Application Deadline

Students who want to be considered for an assistantship must submit their application by Feb. 1.

Review Process

The department admissions committee will begin the review of the applications after the Feb. 1 deadline. Each application and supporting materials are comprehensively reviewed for admission consideration.

Students who are offered admission to the program will receive an assistantship application at the time of their acceptance notification.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders adheres to the national deadline of April 15 to extend offers of admission to applicants as set forth by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders and the Council of Graduate Schools.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Accreditation

Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard #310,
Rockville, Maryland 20850
800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700
http://caa.asha.org

Additional Accreditation Information

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate compassionate ethical behavior during clinical practice.
2. Graduates will be able to apply clinical reasoning to effectively address the communication needs across the lifespan.
3. Graduates will be able to demonstrate effective interactions with others during academic discourse.
4. Graduates will be able to fulfill clinical responsibilities in a professional manner.
5. Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to evaluate appropriate information from various sources to effectively implement evidence-based practice.

Students in the communication sciences and disorders master's program take the following courses. 

Students must complete Clinical Practicum (CSDI 5010 Clinical Practicum Lecture (0-3 cr)) for five semesters. In the last semester, students complete two 8-week full time externships, one in an educational setting and one in a medical setting (CSDI 5030 Student Teaching in Comm Dis (3-5 cr) and CSDI 5910 Clinical Internship (0-3 cr)).

It is a requirement of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Program that all students complete a course in Aural Rehabilitation and Neurological Bases of Communication. Students who have not had these courses as an undergraduate will need to take them in the graduate program in addition to the Master’s program requirements.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Program Notes

Electives: Four (4) credits of electives are required. Thesis credits meet the elective requirements.

All graduate students must complete 46 credits: 40 credits academic and 6 credits of clinical practicum.

Students are required to enroll in one of the clinical practicum courses every semester.

It is a requirement of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Program that all students complete a course in Aural Rehabilitation and Neurological Bases of Communication. Students who have not had these courses as an undergraduate will need to take them in the graduate program in addition to the master’s program requirements.